TLDR : ADEME, in partnership with Fondation Macif, France Tiers Lieux, and IGN, launches a call for projects to pool resources and develop open "commons" to promote ecological transition. Selected projects in fields such as food, habitat, and mobility can receive up to €80,000 in financial support.
Table of contents
In the face of the climate crisis, cooperation and open innovation are essential to promote an effective ecological transition. It is with this perspective that ADEME, in partnership with Fondation Macif, France Tiers Lieux, and IGN, launches the third edition of its Call for Commons (CFC): “Mobilizing Commons for Ecological Transition.” This initiative aims to pool resources and develop open commons, accessible to all, to accelerate ecological and societal progress.
This CFC is based on a simple principle: supporting open “commons” projects, meaning resources (digital or material) that are freely reusable and developed in cooperation. These can include software, databases, standards, methods, or even products or services, as long as they are governed by open licenses.
This model reduces the inherent risks of innovation: economic pressure is distributed among actors, and if a project fails, it remains reusable by others thanks to data transparency, protocols, and results. This logic of “regenerative innovation” aligns with ADEME’s strategy to enhance the impact and dissemination of ecological solutions in the long term.
Five Targeted Challenges for 2025
The 2025 edition of the CFC is organized around five major challenges, reflecting strategic sectoral priorities:
- Food & Forests
- Building, Habitat & Urban Planning
- Mobility & Logistics
- Material Recycling
- Environmental Assessment for Digital Eco-design
Projects must align with one of these themes, while meeting four criteria: being collaborative, freely accessible under an open license, documented, and oriented towards the general interest.
Cross-Supports, Public and Private
ADEME partners with several organizations to enrich the support ecosystem. Fondation Macif contributes to challenges related to mobility and habitat, with specific targeting of projects eligible for sponsorship. IGN, through its GeoCommons Factory, provides technical expertise. Finally, France Tiers Lieux contributes to the animation of project leader communities.
Funding Conditions
Selected projects receive financial support of up to €80,000 per project (with a maximum aid rate of 70%). Project duration is limited to 18 months, and expenses must comply with the funding rules of ADEME or Fondation Macif.
Only digital commons are eligible for ADEME support. Non-digital projects (in mobility or habitat) will be supported by Fondation Macif, according to its criteria.
An expert advisory team on commons, commissioned by ADEME, will support the development of commons: assistance in choosing a license, support for governance, economic model definition, community contribution animation...
A Platform for Interaction and Convergence
The "Innovating for Transition" platform allows project leaders to submit their applications, identify similar initiatives, engage in dialogue via the Tchap conversational tool, and potentially merge proposals to create synergies.
Who Can Apply?
All commons projects are eligible, regardless of their maturity stage. The CFC is open to a wide variety of actors with a legal structure: companies, associations, local authorities, research or higher education institutions…
Schedule
- May 5, 2025: Application opening
- June 20, 2025, at 6 PM: First application deadline
- July 10, 2025: Selection committee for the first deadline.
- September 30, 2025, at 6 PM: Second application deadline
- November 6, 2025, at 6 PM: Selection committee for the second deadline.
For more information on application procedures and to discover projects already submitted: https://www.innoverpourlatransitionecologique.fr/fr/challenges/appel-a-communs-1
Translated from Innover pour la transition écologique : l'ADEME lance la 3ème édition de son appel à communs
To better understand
What is regenerative innovation in the context of ecological transition?
Regenerative innovation is a concept that aims not only to reduce environmental impacts but also to restore and regenerate natural systems. It is based on the principles of circular economy and resilience, seeking to transform industrial and commercial practices into approaches that positively contribute to ecological health.
How do open commons compare to traditional intellectual property in innovation?
Open commons allow for free sharing of information and resources, fostering collaborative and collective innovation, whereas traditional intellectual property focuses on protecting rights for an individual owner or company, often limiting access and sharing to favor economic benefits.